p. 15 | Java by GEO. TEASDALE

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 19, 1908

Java

By GEO. TEASDALE

GEO. TEASDALE

Java first became known to Europe about four hundred fifty years ago through the Portuguese, who were at that time the most enterprising maritime nation in the world. The Dutch shortly afterward successfully disputed the sea supremacy with them, and in the course of a century became fully possessed of this country, and also of a large number of other islands in these seas, over which they have maintained control until the present time.

Although the area of Java is less than that of the State of Alabama, yet it contains a population of thirty-two million, which is much more than one third the number of the whole population of the United States. Not only does it contain this population, but it also maintains it, for its only resources are agricultural. It is so fertile, however, that each year the value of its exports exceeds sixty million dollars, and this after providing food for its teeming inhabitants. The imports into the country are chiefly machinery, clothing, and a few provisions for the use of Europeans.

The climate of Java is ideal for the man who can adapt himself to constant summer without the stimulative effect of a cold season. Its location in the immediate vicinity of the equator would cause one to suppose that the temperature is so high as to be well-nigh unendurable. A few months' residence in the country proves the climate to be quite bearable, even in the large cities and on the low-lying plains, while in the mountain districts it is exceedingly pleasant. The climate is not by any means suitable for a European. Even its virtues are detrimental to his well-being, and its evils constantly threaten his existence. It does not kill by cruel blasts of stinging cold, nor by sudden and violent changes of mood; but rather it smothers its hapless victim with a wealth of affection paralleled by the constant cuddling bestowed upon some unfortunate infants by their doting relatives. Both languish under the toxic effects of too much fondling. Java's insular nature gives to it the advantage of being fanned at both seasons of the year by the monsoons, which causes a mild temperature not unlike that of an Italian summer. The chief scourge of Java is the malarial fever. The victims of this disease number many thousands every year. It either persistently pursues them through a series of years, and ultimately brings them to a premature old age and untimely grave, or it suddenly pounces upon its prey and carries them off after a few days of raging madness. Living in the large cities in the Indies is equal to life on a battle-field in the uncertainties of its continuation. If a person escapes the ravages of the fever, he is almost sure to succumb to the enervating climatic influences, unless he makes frequent pilgrimages to the mountains or to Europe.

The first company of workers for Java bearing the third angel's message came late in the year 1906. We landed in Sourabaya, a city of two hundred fifty thousand, situated in the eastern part of the island, where one woman and her children were already keeping the Sabbath. A few persons have been attracted to the standard of truth erected here over fourteen months ago. The greatest difficulty in the way of proclaiming the truth is the diversity of languages. Malay must be acquired in order to do business with the Chinese and the coolies. Dutch, being the official language, is also necessary, and the thirty million natives are divided into three tribes, each of which speaks a distinct language, and all are quite difficult to master. We have seen God's leading in this field in many instances, although as yet but few results of our labor are apparent. There is no doubt but that the proclamation of the closing message to the Mohammedans of Java is the most difficult work for which the Australasian Union Conference is responsible, and it will call for much sacrifice on the part of our people of both men and means.

The past year has been one full of blessings to us, although some of them have come in the form of severe afflictions. While we were enjoying a fair degree of health and strength, the members of our mission family were suddenly attacked by fever, and three of them narrowly escaped death, but the fourth, our oldest child, a fine, healthy boy of twelve, now lies in the cemetery a victim to our last dread foe. Our hearts were almost broken, but we have found comfort in the promises of Him whose Son was attacked by the same cruel enemy. This sacrifice binds our hearts to the country in which he died, and we look forward to the day when he with many others will be won from death to life eternal.

The late union conference council decided that a home in the mountains should be secured for the workers in Java, and when this is accomplished, we shall have a place to which we can go during the fever season to restore our depleted vitality. We hope also to be able sometime to establish a small mission there, in which to train the natives to become workers among their own people. Government restrictions make the acquirement of land quite difficult and expensive, and satisfactory sites are very few. There is a good line of railway from one end of the island to the other, and there is also a system of light railways spread throughout the country. These operate mainly on the lowlands and on the plateaus, while the higher places are reached only by toilsome journeys in bullock wagons, or on small mountain ponies. Our present force of workers, besides Mrs. Teasdale and myself, are Sisters Skadsheim and Nordstrom, and in a few weeks Sister Judge will join us. The last two named are sanitarium nurses from Australia. A young man and his wife with a knowledge

of the Dutch language could be employed to advantage here among the Dutch-speaking portion of the population; also a canvasser who is able to handle books in that language.

Already “Coming King” is being printed in the Dutch-Malay, and soon we expect to have a canvasser in the field among the Chinese and the Malay-speaking Javanese. We believe that our books will sell well in this country, and through literature chiefly will the message go to many millions of the people.

Little has been done to evangelize the natives of Java, and the few efforts which have been put forth during the last century have resulted in turning less than twenty thousand to Christianity. Mohammedan countries are not generally fertile fields for missionary enterprise. One encouraging condition among the Javanese is that they are not very ardent adherents of the prophet, and are almost free from that fanaticism which is so predominant a characteristic in most followers of Mohammed.

Our work here is great, but our God is also great, and in his name we traverse these modern Ninevehs, proclaiming the warning committed to our charge. He will supplement our feeble voices with his mighty power, so that the truth can be made known to the millions of people in this land who know not their right hand from their left.

Sourabaya, Java.